Myron J. Gootee
Services for Myron J. Gootee, 88, of Westland were Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Divine Savior Catholic Church with the Rev. Alexander Kuras officiating. Burial was at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights.
Mr. Gootee was born Feb. 12, 1914, in Loogootee, Ind,. and died Nov. 24, 2002, in Plymouth. He was a salesman. He was a member of the Divine Savior Catholic Church.
Survivors include daughters Norma Berry and Karen (Ron) Gagne; friend Mary Smith; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Preceding in death was his wife, Lillian Rose.
Arrangements were by Vermeulen Funeral Home in Westland. Memorials may be made to the Capuchin Monastery, 1740 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207.
Gerald T. Ward
Services for Gerald T. Ward, 62, of Plymouth were Saturday, Nov. 23, from Schrader-Howell Funeral Home in Plymouth with the Rev. Ron Shubert officiating. Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Livonia.
Mr. Ward, a lifelong Plymouth resident, was born June 6, 1940, in Plymouth and died Nov. 20, 2002, in Detroit. He was a semi-retired carpenter and a graduate of Plymouth High School.
He enjoyed hunting and collecting model cars, planes and boats.
Survivors include sons Gerald T. Ward of Fox Lake, Ill., Dave Ward of Westland and Michael (Leah) Ward of Wisconsin; daughter Ann Ward of Romulus; brothers Edward (Wilma) Ward of Westland and Lavene Ward of Plymouth; sisters Catherine (Thomas) Johnson of Westland and Jeanette (Al) Boeck of Coleman and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Ward family.
Brenda Ramsden
Services for Brenda Ramsden, 44, of Westland will be Tuesday, Dec. 3, from the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home in Westland with the Rev. William C. Hale officiating.
Mrs. Ramsden was born Aug. 31, 1958, in Detroit and died Nov. 27, 2002, at Garden City Hospital. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include daughters Sarah M. Horn and Kristy L. Buchakian; son Lucas J. Buchakian; parents Wilmer and Constance Ramsden; grandmother Eleanore Gendjar; sister Shelly Shaffer; brothers Gary and Alan Ramsden and one granddaughter, Mariah.
Cremation rites were accorded.
Elsie M. Richardson
Services for Elsie Richardson, 82, of Westland will be held Nov. 30 at Cherry Hill United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Cherry Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Richardson was born June 7, 1920, in Kinde, Mich., and died Nov. 25, 2002, at Plymouth Inn Nursing Home. She worked as a school teacher.
Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by husband, Elmer Branda; husband, Zeke Scott; and husband, Clifford Richardson.
Survivors include daughter, Janice Allen; sister, Jessie E. (Clarence) Helm; sister, Lois B. (Thomas) Curl; many step-children; and many grandchildren.
Share a "Memorial Tribute" with the family at griffinfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements made by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home Canton Chapel.
Leona Hewitt
Services for Leona Hewitt, 92, of Westland were Nov. 26 in John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home with burial at Northview Cemetery in Dearborn. Officiating was the Rev. Greg Rowe from Lola Valley United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Hewitt was born Oct. 21, 1910, in Mt. Vernon, Ill., and died Nov. 21, 2002, in Westland. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her son, William Hewitt; sister, Colleen; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Mary Montes
Services for Mary Montes, 80, of Westland will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26 from Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church with the Rev. James Stathakios officiating. Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Livonia.
Mrs. Montes was born July 13, 1922, in Zeigler, Ill., and died Nov. 23. 2002, in Detroit. She was a homemaker and belonged to Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
Survivors include her husband, Manuel; daughter Mary Merrill of Garden City; sons Ricardo of Novi and Andrew (Diane) Montes of Livonia and sister Helen Lucakis of Plymouth Township.
Vermeulen Funeral Home in Westland handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association Affiliate Inc., 23100 Providence Dr., Southfield MI 48075-3680 or to the Leukemia Society of America Chapter, 21617 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080-2254.
Sherry Blach
Services for Sherry Blach, 39, of Westland will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26 from Ss. Simon & Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Gerald Bechard officiating. Burial was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.
Mrs. Blach was born March 21, 1963, in Fort Lewis, Wash., and died Nov. 20, 2002, in Wayne. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include mother Emma Borylo of Detroit; six children - Tiffany Zarves, Misty Blach, Joseph Zarves, Edward Blach, Ashley Stanley and Harley Stanley, all of Wayne; sisters Lindy McDaniel and Cindy Sullivan; brothers Leonard and Edward Blach and three granddaughters.
She was preceded in death was her father, Leon Borylo.
Memorials may be made to the charity of choice. Vermeulen Funeral Home in Westland handled the local arrangements.
Steven John Poupard
Services for Steven Poupard, 35, of Westland were Nov. 20 in L.J. Griffin Funeral Home.
Mr. Poupard was born Dec. 16, 1966, in Detroit, and died Nov. 17, 2002, at his home in Westland. He worked in restaurant equipment repair.
Surviving are his parents, Irving and Diana; brothers, Gary (Nora) and Kenneth (Sarah); four nieces and nephews.
Casimir Wekwert
Services for Casimir Wekwert, 87, of Westland were Nov. 20 in St. Richard Catholic Church with burial at Detroit Memorial Park West.
Mr. Wekwert was born Feb. 24, 1915, in Alpena, and died Nov. 17, 2002, in Farmington Hills. He was an auto mechanic for the U.S. Army.
Surviving are his brother, Louis (Theresa) Wekwert; sister, Lillian Mulka; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wekwert was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.
Arrangements were made by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home.
Marvin E. Brooks
Services for Marvin Brooks, 68, of Canton were Nov. 20 in Vermeulen Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Drex Morton.
Mr. Brooks was born Dec. 10, 1933, in Detroit, and died Nov. 17, 2002, in Canton. He was a hi-lo driver for a tire manufacturer.
Surviving are his wife, Nadine; children, Larry (Diane) Brooks of Canton, Diane (Steve) Moser of Westland, Brenda (Ron) Jenks of Canton, Albert Brooks of Canton, and David Brooks of Canton; brother, Bob Brooks of Florida; sister, Gloria Fitzpatrick of Florida; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Brooks.
Memorial tributes may be made to the family fund.
Herbert Charles Long Jr.
Services for Herbert Long Jr., 75, of Westland were Oct. 26 in Uht Funeral Home with burial at Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock. Officiating was the Rev. Arthur Mack.
Mr. Long was born June 1, 1927, and died Oct. 22, 2002, in Detroit. He was a service sales manager.
Surviving are his son, Charles (Becky) Long; daughter, Ann (Scott) Carlisle; sisters, Milicent Schmidt and Carol Karp; and five granddaughters, Megan and Erin Long, Cara and Trisha Wojtyna and Amanda Carlisle.
Mr. Long was preceded in death by his wife, Angeline, and brother, William Long.
Vivian Stirling
A funeral Mass for Vivian Stirling, 85, of Westland was Nov. 23 in St. Raphael Catholic Church. Officiating was the Rev. Fred Misiolek.
Mrs. Stirling was born Dec. 30, 1916, in Canada, and died Nov. 20, 2002, at her home in Westland. She lived in this community many years. A registered nurse, she worked at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital, retiring after 25 years of service. She was a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps, serving in England during World War II.
Surviving are her children, Catherine (Christopher) Gould, David (Diane), Mary-Ann (Chris) Doherty, Patricia (Michael) Demsky and Michael (Paulette); and 12 grandchildren.
Mrs. Stirling was preceded in death by her husband, Howard.
Arrangements were made by R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home.
Labelva Ivaleen Davidson
Services for Labelva Davidson, 93, of Wayne were Oct. 26 in Uht Funeral Home with burial at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland. Officiating was the Rev. David Dahlberg.
Mrs. Davidson was born Jan. 10, 1909, and died Oct. 23, 2002, in Wayne. She was a homemaker.
Surviving are her son, Thomas Davidson; daughter, Delpha (Harry) Foster; sisters, Doris Lapham and Ethlyn Beaty; grandsons, Bruce (Jackie) Foster and Lee (Tracy) Foster; and six great-grandchildren.
The are family members who reside in Westland.
Mrs. Davidson was preceded in death by her brothers, Delbert Davidson and Lloyd Davidson, and sister, Mary Beyer.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Heart Association.
W.C. Henson
Services for W.C. Henson, 72, of Dearborn Heights were Nov. 11 in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, Garden City with burial at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. Officiating were the Rev. Alden Tindell and Rev. Fred Mayes.
Mr. Henson was born March 12, 1930, in McGaysville, Ga., and died Nov. 7, 2002, in Dearborn. He lived in this community many years. He worked for Ford Motor Company, Rough Plant 30 years. He was a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Pauline; children, Larry (Dolores) of Westland, Danny (Brenda), Sue (Dave) Woodman and Janet Henson; two brothers; two sisters; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial tributes may be made to Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 5039 Woodward, Wayne, MI 48184
David A. Slezak
Services for David Slezak, 72, of Houghton Lake were Nov. 11 in Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth. Officiating was the Rev. John J. Sullivan.
Mr. Slezak was born Feb. 22, 1930 in Detroit, and died Nov. 7, 2002, in Livonia. He was retired from the Department of Public Works in Plymouth. He moved to the Houghton Lake community from Plymouth in 1992.
Mr. Slezak served in the U.S. Army. He liked fishing, boating and snowmobiling.
Surviving are his children, Mark (Catherine) Slezak of Commerce Township, Gloria McMullen of Westland and Leslie Dillon of Plymouth; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Craig) Johnson of Redford, Janice James of Plymouth, Mark Slezak Jr. of Commerce Township, Maureen Slezak of Commerce Township and Justin Dillon of Plymouth; and four great-grandchildren, Richard Adams, Karly James, Joseph James and Braidan Simmons. His cat, Tarzana, also survives.
Mr. Slezak was preceded in death by his wife, Louise.
Memorial tributes may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
Frank R. Kummer
A funeral Mass for Frank Kummer, 72, of Westland was Nov. 13 in St. Mel's Catholic Church with burial at St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights.
Mr. Kummer was born Feb. 15, 1930, in Detroit, and died Nov. 10, 2002, in Farmington Hills. She was a shipping clerk for a chemical production company.
Surviving are his wife, Jean; son, Frank (Christine); daughter, Debbie (Bill Geoit) Peczynski; brothers, Edward and Roger; sister, Lorraine; six grandchildren, Bobby (Nicole), Andy (Janene), Beth (Tom) Bish, Jenny, Brian and Chad; and great-granddaughter, Brooke.
Arrangements were made by Leonard A. Turowski & Son Funeral Home.
Elaine O. Hickman
Services for Elaine Hickman, 74, of Inkster were Nov. 13 in Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth with burial at Parkview Memorial Cemetery, Livonia. Officiating was the Rev. Jeffrey Noble.
Mrs. Hickman was born April 21, 1928, in Northville, and died Nov. 10, 2002, in Inkster. She was a homemaker. She moved to Inkster from Plymouth in 1990. She enjoyed cooking and baking.
Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Price; children, Janet (Mark) Slabaugh of Garden City, Carol (Virgil) Goley of Lincoln Park and Richy (Sherry) Hickman of Westland; brothers, Frederick (Mary) Micol of Garden City and Harold Micol of Westland; seven grandchildren, Tracy (Leon) Graham of Romulus, Susie (Garry) Brown of N.C., Tammy (Randy) Sisson of Garden City, Walter McNew of Trenton, Morgan Slabaugh of Garden City, Nicholas Hickman of Westland and Terry Hickman of Westland; and seven great-grandchildren, Justin, Brandon, Amber, Desaire, Deja, Jesse and Joshua.
Memorial tributes may be made to American Diabetes Association.
Donna Cavender Mercer
Services for former Westland resident Donna Mercer of Sault Ste. Marie were held recently. Arrangements were made by Hovie Funeral Home.
Mrs. Mercer was born Sept. 14, 1953, in Detroit. and died Nov. 8, 2002, after a long battle with cancer. She was a 1971 graduate of John Glenn High School in Westland. She worked with her husband in their dental practices in Sault Ste. Marie and Drummond Island.
Surviving are her husband of 18 years, Dr. Craig Mercer; brothers, Ted (Jan) Cavender, David Cavender and Michael Cavender; sisters, Sherry (Tom) Kropp, Linda (Tom) Barker and Patty (Rob) Petersen; seven nephews and 13 nieces.
Mrs. Mercer was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Beryle Cavender of Westland.
Memorial tributes may be made to the Sault Michigan Hockey Association (Mercer Mavericks) Attn: Sandra King, 817 Kimbell St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Mary J. Trudeau-Pierce
A funeral Mass for Mary Trudeau-Pierce, 89, of Westland was Nov. 14, in St. Theodore Catholic Church with burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.
Mrs. Trudeau-Pierce was born Dec. 29, 1912, in Canada, and died Nov. 12, 2002, in Wayne. She was a stenographer for a seed company.
Surviving are her children, Marilyn Downing, Shirley Tobin, Kathleen (Robert) Lepak, Emmett (Cathy) Trudeau and Linda (David) Murphy; 14 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Trudeau-Pierce was preceded in death by her husbands, Leonard Trudeau and William Pierce.
Arrangements were made by L.J. Griffin Funeral Home.
John Patrick Lapham
Services for John Lapham, 61, of Farmington Hills were Nov. 20 in Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, Farmington. Officiating was the Rev. Loren O'Dea from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.
Mr. Lapham was born July 19, 1941, in Pontiac, and died Nov. 15, 2002, at his home in Farmington Hills. He had lived in this community since 1941. He was an innkeeper for Holiday Inn. He enjoyed golf, bowling and other sports.
Surviving are his wife of six years, Jan; brother, Harry (Joyce Kelly) Lapham; and nieces and nephews, Matt, Colleen, Andrew, Melissa, Kati and Ben. There are family members residing in Livonia, Bloomfield Hills and Westland.
Mr. Lapham was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle.
Memorial tributes may be made to Farmington Public Schools' Cloverdale School.
